Holiday Travel Rush At Airports | News

REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT (WUSA) -- Forty percent of Washingtonians are heading out of the city this holiday and traveling 50 miles or more. According to AAA, that percentage is up 1.5% from last year.

9 NEWS' Surae Chinn was out Thursday morning and afternoon catching up with some of the thousands of people who are hitting the local airports for the holidays.

Allison Anderson is heading to Seattle. She told Chinn, "I'm hoping to get out before holidays with the crowds and stuff."

She will have lots of company. Out of roughly 5.6 million Washingtonians, 2.2 million will be traveling in the next 12 days. Most of them will be traveling by car.

HOLIDAY TRAFFIC INFOGRAPHIC: A breakdown of holiday traffic in DC, New York, LA, Chicago and Houston

When it comes to air travel and what you can bring:

• liquids, gels and aerosol are okay on board as long as it's under 3.4 ounces, with the exception of breast milk, formula and medical liquids. They are allowed but will be inspected by agents.
• Wrapped gifts are permitted but are subject to inspections.
• Snow globes are prohibited.

More people are traveling with their gadgets and flight attendants say more people are refusing to turn them off. TSA says it's all in the name of safety.

Recently, Alec Baldwin made headlines for not shutting down his cell phone. He was busy playing a game and was kicked off the plane.

Keith Bickel, who is traveling to Florida, said about that incident, "I am addicted with Words With Friends so I understand."

But the Groban family plays by the rules. Jamie Groban told us, "We have turn off time."